Did you feel it? 1.3 earthquake hits Putnam

How do seismologists distinguish earthquakes from other vibrations like helicopters? This U.S. Geological Survey video explains.
Liz Westby, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory

ZIP codes, in blue, where the U.S. Geological Survey received reports about the Monday, April 10, magnitude 1.3 earthquake centered in Pawling, shown by the star. The USGS received more than 20 reports about the earthquake.(Photo11: U.S. Geological Survey)

The 1.3 magnitude earthquake took place around Pawling at 6:35 p.m., according to United States Geological Survey data.

Putnam County residents in Brewster, Carmel, Patterson and Putnam Valley, as well as Dutchess County residents in Wingdale reported to the USGS that they felt the earthquake.

“It was not surprising that people nearby felt it,” said John Bellini, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colorado. “It was the time of day they were settling down for the evening.” They were sitting down, relaxed and more likely to feel a small vibration than if they were running around earlier in the day, he said.

The fault involved was likely just 100 feet long or less, he said. And at 1.3 magnitude, the earthquake was barely strong enough to be felt, Bellini said.

But feel it people did. The Geological Survey received over 20 reports of the quake, he said.